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Monday, August 29, 2016

Guest Character Interview: Walt Starboard

Continuing our look at the books and authors in the Weird Western StoryBundle, here's author James Derry interviewing Walt from his western-science fiction novel Idyll. And he's even brought with him a sketch he made of Walt! Take it away, James:

Walt
Starboard is a settler on the planet Idyll. His ancestors travelled
there in search of a simpler life, free from the dependence on
technology that they believe crippled society—and the human spirit—on
Earth.

Unfortunately, a mysterious syndrome of ‘contagious’ sleep
has decimated the Idyll settlement, and now Walt has spent the last
three years in quarantine with his brother Samuel and his bedridden
mother on their lonesome ranch. Desperate to find a cure for their
mother—and to find out what happened to their father—Walt and Samuel are
finally venturing away from their homestead in search of answers.

1. What is your full name? Is there anything significant about your name?Walt
Cygnus Starboard. Yes, quite significant. When our forebears left
Mother Earth, they gave up their traditional surnames and took on new
last names based on the roles or their quarters on the starship
Marathon. It was a 600-year trip that required a great deal of
sacrifice. Relinquishing their surnames was more symbolic than anything,
but it represented a break from the Terran way of doing things—and a
new commitment to our cause. I’m just glad my ancestors didn’t live near
Marathon’s poop deck! Ha ha. That’s a nautical joke. Marathon didn’t
have a poop deck. Sorry, it’s a fairly serious topic.

2. How old are you?I’m twenty-three.

3. Tell us about your family. What do you like and not like about them?My
father Josiah is… or was… the best rancher in Glenn County. After the
Lullaby hit, he traveled to the heart of the Settlement to find out what
was being done about it. But he hasn’t returned yet. That was three
years ago. My uncle was a doctor, but he died. My mother was infected
with the Lullaby, so I’ve been doing my best to care for her. My brother
Samuel… he’s good with the animals.

4. Who was your first kiss, and what did you think of it?A
gentleman doesn’t talk about that. Trust me, I’ve had my share of
female… interests… females who… Fine. I’ll level with you. In my youth, I
focused on my studies. Then the Lullaby hit, and I’ve been living in
quarantine for three years. If it wasn’t for the epidemic, I’m fairly
confident I’d be married to a beautiful, charming lady by now.

image copyright James Derry

5. What is your occupation?I
was training to be a county doctor. When I was young, I wanted to run
the ranch. But I suppose that duty will fall to my brother. Or perhaps I
could do both. It’s all moot at this point. Right now, we’re struggling
to stay clothed and fed.

6. What are your best and worst qualities?I
like to think I’m fairly intelligent. And disciplined. And neat. And
cool and collected in a bad situation. And keen at shooting and riding.
And admired by my peers. My brother says I talk too much, but he hardly
talks at all.

7. What is your most treasured possession?Uncle
Warren’s pharm-garden. It grows the pharms that keep Mama alive,
despite her coma. I don’t know what we would’ve done without that.

8. What is your greatest fear?That
my mother will die before we can find a cure for her. When my father
left, he entrusted me (and Samuel) with caring for the ranch—and that
included, in my mind, keeping Mama safe. She was infected on my watch,
and now I have to do everything in my power to reverse that one moment
of stupidity and neglect—and to make sure she doesn’t die from it.

It’s
been three long years, taking care of her… feeding her, bathing her,
treating pressure ulcers. Sometimes I wonder if she knows what’s
happened to her. If she dreams of us. If she wishes that I’d let her
die… Can I level with you again? Sometimes I’m not afraid of Mama dying.
Sometimes I think my greatest fear is that my father will return, and
he’ll see what we let happen to her.

Other

Kyra Halland: Welcome to My Worlds is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

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About Me

Kyra Halland has always loved fantasy. She has also always loved a good love story. Years ago, as a new stay-at-home mom, she decided to combine those two loves - like chocolate and peanut butter! - by writing the kinds of romantic fantasy novels she wanted to read.
Complicated, honorable heroes; strong, smart, feminine heroines; magic, romance, and adventure; deep emotion mixed with a dash of offbeat humor - all of these make up Kyra Halland's worlds. She loves sharing those worlds with readers and hopes they will enjoy her stories and characters as much as she does.
Kyra Halland lives in southern Arizona. She has a very patient husband, two less-patient cats, two young adult sons, a lovely daughter-in-law, and an adorable granddaughter. Besides writing, she enjoys scrapbooking and anime, and she wants to be a crazy cat lady when she grows up.